Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 872

Enlightenment isn’t something you can give or receive like an object. It’s fundamentally impossible.

Moyong Woo wasn’t ignorant of that. Yet, he spoke those words.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had arrived with a somewhat light heart, could see the self-reproach, immense ambition, and anger clouding Moyong Woo’s face.

‘Anger, huh?’

The target of that anger was none other than himself.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“People feel the need for extreme change in extreme environments. However, there are also those who don’t.”

“……”

“I’m not someone who can give enlightenment. No one is. To reach higher places, one must not seek help from others but try to change oneself.”

Moyong Woo nodded.

“Yes, I know.”

He wasn’t someone who wouldn’t know. Yeon Ho-Jeong already knew that as well.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and said,

“Are you feeling impatient?”

“Impatient… yes, there’s that too. But that’s not all.”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“As the commander of the Righteous Army, I feel a sense of fulfillment. Although it’s not a position I wanted to take, I was able to reflect on my own foolishness in giving up everything in the past.”

“……”

“Furthermore, I also learned how precious and rewarding it is to be together.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But the soldiers would have grown well even without me. Rather…”

Moyong Woo closed his eyes.

“I was able to sustain myself thanks to the soldiers. I didn’t lead them; they led me.”

Why was that?

It was a completely different expression and voice than the usual Moyong Woo.

A person can enter a completely different realm from their previous self with just one small trigger.

People call it immersion. Immersion was the core of change.

“I don’t want to be separated from them. But if being with them is a path that distances me from my own completion, I want to endure the pain of tearing off my own flesh to do so.”

It couldn’t be seen as irresponsible words.

Every martial artist in this world dreams of their own completion. It wouldn’t be limited to those who have devoted themselves to martial arts.

‘Only now?’

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Moyong Woo, inwardly shook his head.

‘It’s not only now. Perhaps he might have thought that his place wasn’t here long ago.’

It is said that you can know the depth of ten fathoms of water, but not the depth of one fathom of a person’s heart. It’s a saying often used to mean that you shouldn’t easily trust people, but fundamentally, it means that it’s extremely difficult to see through a person’s mind and heart.

In confrontations with enemies, Yeon Ho-Jeong was able to read the opponent’s mind and exploit fatal weaknesses because he was actually reading their ‘intent’ at that moment. It’s impossible for anyone other than a divine being to see through another person’s heart itself.

‘Thinking about it, was I too insensitive?’

He had come to meet Okcheong.

But Moyong Woo was also there. Just like Paeyul was in the place where he went to meet Tang Gwan.

Yeon Ho-Jeong suddenly felt bitter.

‘Come to think of it, I’m a bad guy too.’

Just as Moyong Woo was facing a period of change by looking back at himself for a moment.

Yeon Ho-Jeong also realized that it was a moment when he needed to look back at himself and change.

It was a completely different kind of realization from the one he had when he awakened the Yellow Dragon.

The emotion in Moyong Woo’s wavering eyes was similar to the bewilderment of a lost child. Considering Moyong Woo’s abilities, talents, and character, it was a very unsuitable description, but there was no other expression that fit better.

‘Ah!’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed.

‘It shouldn’t have been like that.’

Those who discuss life, those who discuss the world.

Those who move forward without hesitation with outstanding talent and insight do not dwell on the past. They don’t complain that their lives have gone astray due to the influence of others.

For example, Moyong Gun and Yang Cheon were like that.

Yang Cheon suffered great damage because of Yeon Ho-Jeong. At least, if he had held onto his stubbornness and only asserted his pride, he would have only accepted all those actions as harm.

However, Yang Cheon did not do that. Rather, he pondered why Yeon Ho-Jeong was acting that way, and soon realized that there was something wrong with himself.

He had actually suffered damage, but he didn’t blame or distance himself from Yeon Ho-Jeong because of it. Instead, he recognized him as a better stimulus, and even harbored the ambition to make him his own person.

That was what made Yang Cheon great, and why Yeon Ho-Jeong recognized him as a great master. Even after gaining enviable power and martial arts that discussed the best in the world, he did not blame the unfortunate events that occurred around him, but rather used them as fertilizer to bloom his own life.

What about Moyong Gun?

He couldn’t let go of his greed until the end, causing all sorts of trouble, and even cursed Yeon Ho-Jeong, lamenting many times that his life would have been much better if he had done this or that.

But reality did not change, and eventually, Moyong Gun began to look back at himself, not his surroundings.

As a result, Moyong Gun changed himself.

In some ways, it was an even greater change than Yang Cheon’s. Yeon Ho-Jeong often coaxed and appeased Yang Cheon, but he was always sharp with Moyong Gun.

In that way, the two of them abandoned the past and the anger towards the person who had driven them into a corner. Furthermore, after abandoning their own greed, they grasped the direction they should move forward.

What about Moyong Woo?

Moyong Woo had never shown such a side. He was called the Twin Swords of the Tiger alongside Yeon Ho-Jeong due to his outstanding talent, but his fiery growth stopped there.

Until Yeon Ho-Jeong ascended to the Limitless Realm and engraved his name in the Sacred Heaven, Moyong Woo remained as the commander of the Righteous Army.

But was that something to dismiss as incompetence?

Was it a problem to click one’s tongue at the slow pace of a deficient person who hadn’t properly looked back at himself like Yang Cheon or Moyong Gun?

‘Absolutely not.’

Moyong Woo came to the Martial Alliance thanks to Yeon Ho-Jeong, or because of Yeon Ho-Jeong.

In other words, his life had undergone a major change due to Yeon Ho-Jeong.

Once he had witnessed a change, he should have clearly set the goal of his life and run without hesitation from that point on. That was the royal road.

Moyong Woo couldn’t do that.

Was it because he was inferior to Yang Cheon or Moyong Gun?

‘It’s my fault.’

Whether the time wasn’t right or his ability was only up to that point was something for Moyong Woo himself to think about. In fact, he was doing that now.

The problem was Yeon Ho-Jeong.

‘I told my brother that I wanted him to become the leader of the new era. And I said that I was ready to do anything for that dream. Until the end.’

He instilled an unfounded conviction. Moyong Woo brushed it off, thinking that Yeon Ho-Jeong had his own reasons, but he still had no intention of becoming the leader of the Martial Alliance.

Nevertheless, Yeon Ho-Jeong constantly persuaded him.

No matter how strong and clear Moyong Woo’s will was, a single word from someone who could influence the world itself could shake his soul.

Yeon Ho-Jeong had told Moyong Woo to become the leader of the Martial Alliance, that there was no one else as suitable as him, but he had never given a proper explanation as to why he should do so.

Even if he didn’t give a reason, he could have solidified the path to it, but Yeon Ho-Jeong didn’t even do that.

Was it because of the fight with the Three Teachings? [A group of powerful sects or organizations that are often antagonists in martial arts stories.]

That was just an excuse. Because I was busy and couldn’t take responsibility for my words and actions, it was ultimately Yeon Ho-Jeong’s fault.

Moyong Woo had not yet blossomed, and Yeon Ho-Jeong had failed to take responsibility and help the other person blossom. That was the problem the two of them were facing now.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been quietly watching Moyong Woo, lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Moyong Woo, who had been staring blankly at the sky, was startled.

“W-Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“It’s my fault.”

“What is?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had raised his head without a word, turned his gaze towards the Righteous Army’s lodgings.

Whoosh!

For a moment, a golden glow flickered in his eyes.

Shortly after.

Swish!

The smooth footwork was like a melody traversing the strings of a zither. [A traditional Korean stringed instrument.]

The level he had reached was truly remarkable. Although he had not surpassed the Martial Ancestor realm, it seemed he had gained an enlightenment beyond that. It was as if he was looking at Yeon Ji-Pyeong.

Swoosh.

Okcheong, who had landed on the training ground, looked at Yeon Ho-Jeong with surprised eyes.

“Young Master?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Moyong Woo.

“A mission has come up. Okcheong is essential. May I take him with me?”

It was a sudden request. But the tone was so quick and sharp that Moyong Woo flinched without realizing it.

“Ah, of course.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Okcheong.

“Go and see the Ascetic Master Seung-Hyeon. I’ve already spoken to the Master, but it would be good for you to get permission again.”

“Yes? Ah…”

“Right now.”

Okcheong, who had been bewildered, nodded.

“I understand. When does the mission start?”

“As early as four days from now. Keep that in mind.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Okcheong, who had been subtly watching Moyong Woo’s reaction, suddenly used his footwork and disappeared.

“……”

An awkward atmosphere flowed between the two of them.

The awkwardness was entirely due to Moyong Woo. Yeon Ho-Jeong, without a hint of awkwardness, was simply looking at Moyong Woo with clear eyes.

Moyong Woo opened his mouth.

“Yeon-je. Do you have anything else to say to this older brother?”

“I do.”

“Then…”

“There are so many that it’s hard to tell them all. And you, brother, must have a lot to say to me as well.”

“Me?”

Of course, there was a lot. He wanted to hear about what he had seen and experienced, how intense the missions and battles had been, while drinking for three days and nights.

But Moyong Woo could tell, without hearing it, that Yeon Ho-Jeong’s words did not mean that.

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke calmly.

“I was busy.”

“Hmm?”

“There were many incidents here and there in the Central Plains. I was also negligent towards my family.”

“Ah.”

“I came to the Martial Alliance after roughly finishing things in the Black Dragon Unit. It’s because of the selection of the Alliance Leader. It’s something the Martial Alliance should handle on its own, but I came as a special envoy with full authority in case the spies of the Three Teachings or the petty desires of those full of greed might interfere in the process.”

“……”

“Fortunately, Grand Envoy Gong Gong, at the request of me, the military advisor, and several officials, has decided to erase his worries and ascend to the position of Alliance Leader. It’s something to be happy about.”

Moyong Woo had no idea what Yeon Ho-Jeong was talking about.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued. His voice, which had sounded monotonous, seemed to be gradually darkening.

“There were also many new strong individuals. It seemed necessary to have a stronger and more united Martial Alliance, so I had a match with Senior Sword Saint. In the process, I gained an enlightenment that I couldn’t have imagined, and I saved ten years of accumulated effort.”

“Yeon-je.”

“It was chaotic, but I gained a lot. Many things changed. And I obtained many things.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong closed his eyes.

“After ascending to the Yellow Dragon, I somehow thought that the way the Martial Alliance was running was clumsy. It looked strangely hesitant. But now I know.”

“……?”

“The problem was with me. I forgot that I was a martial artist, but at the same time, a person who lives with many things on his shoulders.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Yeon-je.”

“Please gain your own enlightenment, brother.”

Moyong Woo smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry. I was momentarily possessed by something and…”

“However, I will create your place, brother.”

“……Yeon-je?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong grabbed Moyong Woo’s sleeve.

“Let’s go to the Martial Sage Hall.”